Wow. This was a tough read with some intense subject matter that hit really close to home for me. It was really well written and a bit of a sliding door moment for me personally. Honestly not sure what else to say… I put off reading this book for a while because of the TWs and I can’t say it made me feel fantastic, but it was real and such an important story for people to be able to read. And of course I loved August and Iris and have hope for my own HEA 💜.

Thanks for the #gifted copy Sourcebook Bloom books and NetGalley! All thoughts are mine and not influenced by receiving a gifted copy.

Note that this was more of a 3.75 star rating for me.

I'm really struggling to come up with a review for this one, because on one hand, it's Kennedy Ryan, so it has some very beautiful writing and she always makes me root for the main characters, even when their trajectory looks like it won't work. On the other hand, this was very long for a romance book... Like almost too long. And much of that, I truly could not stomach reading what Iris was going through. I do understand that many women encounter people like Caleb every single day, but it really was too much to read at times. And again, I know that was the point, but I think that eventually led to the chemistry between August and Iris lacking a bit at times because of course she needed to grow and heal before they could finally be together.... I don't know, this one was a lot to process.

This is my first Kennedy Ryan book and I am in love with the way she writes!

I adored Iris. Kennedy has a gift for writing really strong women that you can really connect with and root for. I wanted so much for Iris and felt her pain through the book.

I think this book would have better been categorized as a women's fiction that included romance. If it focused more on Iris' story, and had her relationship with August as a subplot, I would have enjoyed it more. I definitely saw their spark at the beginning of the book, but his character lacked in comparison to her. I loved his kindness, and the way they loved each other though.

I am excited to explore more Kennedy Ryan stories!

kennedy ryan has done it again. this is what ‘it ends with us” wanted to be so bad but ultimately didnt get the desired effect. this was BEAUTIFUL. truly one of the most profound and deeply insightful stories ive ever read, as well as a captivating romance i’ve come to expect from her. 10/10 recommend

I looooove Kennedy Ryan so much. She is one of my favourite authors and I fell in love with this series already. The first book broke me but I had the best time reading it. I love the characters and the storyline so much and I am excited to see what the second book is about.

What in the beautiful heart crushing adventure this is. It's written so well you feel every thing as if by chance you are doing through the same thing
It's real , it's soul crushing, it invokes every emotion.
You will cry, laugh, and become a blubbering mess and you leave it all on the basketball court.
This is so much more than a story about basketball.

Rating: 3.5 stars

This wasn't a series for me but I suggest that you form your own opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley, Kennedy Ryan and the publisher for providing me with this copy. All opinions are my own.

“The heart speaks in whispers, but sometimes by the time we listen, it’s too late.”

Long Shot was absolutely PAINFUL. I was expecting a fun sports romance and had my heart ripped and smashed basically, but I would read it over and over again because it was so beautiful. Iris goes through so much, I feel so much for her and ache for her through this. I was rooting for the two main characters so much, and there's just so much in their way to be together. I didn't expect Long Shot to be brutally raw and real as it dived into domestic abuse/violence and had me in tears a few times. I would recommend this endlessly but to always caution as it does deal with heavy topics.

"If you were mine, Iris, there would be no doubt what position you’d hold in my life. You’d be center. I’d play you at the five.”

UGGGHHHHHHHHHH.

The first part of this book broke my heart into a million pieces. The second part put all of them back together. My girl Iris deserves nothing but the whole world! Kennedy Ryan was so good and addictive that i could not put this book down and I had to read all 500 pages within 24 hours. A heartbreaking but beautiful book!

I loved this book! I devoured it in only a few sittings and wish there was more to read. The story line was paced very well and the characters were easy to love!

This book is going to stay with me for a long time. It was extremely difficult to read in spots. There are very graphic depictions of domestic violence. Kennedy Ryan is such an amazing writer though that it kept me reading. This is an important story to tell even through fiction. This book impacted me so much. And the day after I finished this book someone in my community was murdered by her ex partner. She had constantly reported his abuse to the police. And nothing was ever done. And we wonder why people don’t report. It is unacceptable that this happens.

Exceptional, Magnificent, Masterpiece no words could describe how incredibly good this book is. I loved every minute of it and I always love when a book can capture me so deeply that it feelings like I'm part of the book and that's what happend Iris and West felt more that fictional characters.
It's one thing to write amazing characters but it's another thing to have an incredible soul gripping story and though it was hard to read at times it didn't take away from the brilliance of the story, I could not put it down, I went through all the emotions Iris and West were feeling like if they were my own I celebrated
their wins and grieved their loses and what I loved the most was being able to see them get that happiness that was long over due, that happiness that looked more like a dream that a possible reality and the biggest reward was that they finally got to play each at five

This is the third book I've picked up from Kennedy Ryan and she continuously impresses me. Long Shot was different from her other books because it was such an emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible! This book follows August and Iris and they had great chemistry from the start but it did not feel like insta-love. This story spans a large amount of time but the pacing was perfect. I was hooked from page one and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC in exchange for a review!

This book was well worth the read! I loved the depth of the romance that was created between our main characters. The overall story was a little bit predictable but that plot twist was mind blowing, i didn't expect it at all. I love how there were some hard hitting elements to this story that made the romance worth fighting for, i don't think this story would have been as good as it was if it didn't get the extra seasoning that it did. I would 100% recommend this story.

Based on the cover and title, I expected this novel to be a hot little romance. It's different and more. Readers should know that it explores deep, hard topics including domestic violence. I think Kennedy Ryan does a good job handling these topics. I do wonder if the publisher should have better managed expectations with the cover art..

"Never judge a book by its cover" is a timeless reminder that appearances can often be deceiving...

I'm not sure I have the perfect words to express how this book made me feel. I ought to have been wiser... I should have known that Kennedy Ryan doesn't usually write simple, dream-inducing stories. Her stories evoke strong emotions and provoke contemplation on life, love, and the meaning of existence. Her skill and writing have me spellbound. I became inebriated by her words.

“ I’m the devastation left in his wake”

Within the first few chapters, her writing style had me completely captivated, and the more I read, the more her words were scaring me.
Iris is a broken yet incredibly courageous and powerful heroine. Her tale is one of loss and torture. Even as you breathe in her growing composure and resolution, you can't help but sense her continuous migraines and the tearing anguish in her heart.

August--- With his unwavering loyalty and chivalrous demeanor, he embodies the essence of a medieval knight in shining armor. His presence brings companionship and warmth, and you find yourself enamored by every aspect of his being.

I really can't help but praise this engrossing narrative, even if I don't want to reveal too much of the plot. I was absorbed and emotionally immersed in it from the beginning. It is devastating and nothing short of magnificent in the way it plays out. Throughout the whole book, the narrative's intensity keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's a literary masterpiece that is so much more than five stars, and I think that to give it only that would be a disservice. Using adjectives like heartbreaking, genuine, raw, pure, and lovely makes me feel like I'm just touching the surface of how genuinely remarkable this book is.

“ Iris is my constellation. She took the darkness as her cue to shine.”

Long Shot is a sexy rollercoaster that you don’t want to get off. Kennedy Ryan’s writing is perfection.

YES YES YES! but with the other cover please and thank you! Long Shot drained every bit of moisture from my eyes, and just when I thought I had none left, a torrent would occur again, each drop falling from heartache and deceit, but also from healing and newness. This was a crushing and, at times, unhinged story, but it was also filled with so much hope and worth. Good winning over evil. Right stamping out wrong. A true inspiration for us all.Long Shot is a must-read. A gut-wrenching, soul-piercing, heart-shattering, ugly-cry masterpiece. Author Kennedy Ryan kicked butt and took names in this novel. She wrote some of the most hard-to-read and some of the most beautiful-to-see words ever written. This book was fierce. If you have the chance just read it you will not regret it.

I always Love kennedy ryan , she knows how to make you feel ! I just reviewed Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Kennedy Ryan knows how to write romance and heartbreak. This one was so much more elevated than anything else I’ve read by her. Iris and August have a beautiful story but it’s certainly not an easy one.

NBA romance,
Forbidden lovers.
Dual POV
This is the first of a series where several characters will be featured.

Heed the content warnings and know that you are getting an incredibly honest view of an abusive relationship and why women stay. I applaud Kennedy for giving these women a voice and hopefully more people will have compassion.